Mon Dec 29 12:23:26 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summary and rewrite based on the provided text:

Summary:

An Election Commission of India (ECI) special roll observer, C. Murugan, faced significant public unrest during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Magrahat, West Bengal. His vehicle was damaged by a protesting crowd, primarily consisting of women, who accused the ECI of forcing vulnerable individuals to attend the SIR hearings and demanded the inclusion of TMC Booth Level Agents (BLAs). The protests highlight broader grievances, including unpaid wages from government programs. The ECI official stated he would complete his assigned work. The officer also faced public resistance while trying to oversee the ongoing SIR exercise on previous occasions

News Article:

ECI Official’s Vehicle Damaged Amid Protests Over Electoral Roll Revision in West Bengal

KOLKATA, Dec. 29, 2025 – A vehicle belonging to C. Murugan, a special roll observer (SRO) for the Election Commission of India (ECI), was damaged today during protests surrounding a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing in Magrahat, South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.

The incident occurred as Mr. Murugan attempted to leave the hearing venue at Shirakol High School. Agitated protestors, largely women, blocked the vehicle’s path and reportedly thumped on the car, resulting in a damaged door handle.

The protestors allege that the ECI’s SIR exercise is causing undue hardship, forcing elderly, ill, and pregnant individuals to attend hearings. They also demanded the inclusion of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) at the hearings.

“It wasn’t a political agitation. It was a protest of ordinary people… being tortured by the ECI,” stated Mujibar Rahaman Mollah, a TMC Zilla Parishad president who was present at the scene. He said he was there to support the protestors and ensure valid voters weren’t disqualified.

The protests also reflect broader discontent over unpaid wages from the central government’s 100-days work program and rural housing schemes, according to a protesting woman.

Mr. Murugan stated he intends to complete his assigned task despite the disruptions, while the ECI is reportedly investigating the incident. This is not the first time Mr. Murugan has faced resistance during the SIR exercise, having encountered similar protests in Falta and Haldarpara previously. The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office confirmed it would seek a detailed report on the incident to forward to the Election Commission.

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